S. Korean airline to begin Portland cargo service

Published: June 1, 2011, 6:48 AM

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- A South Korean airline hoping to pick up business in high-tech components and perishables such as Dungeness crab and blueberries for shipment to Asia will begin cargo flights to Oregon in September.

Asiana Airlines said Wednesday it would make three flights a week with a Boeing 747 freighter from Portland International Airport to its hub at Incheon.

The executive director of the Port of Portland said the airport lost cargo service to Asia during the recession.

Bill Wyatt said Asiana is taking a risk, and the port gave it about $800,000 in incentives for a year.

Wyatt said the South Korean airline will use Portland to take on fuel and new crews at the end of U.S. flights before flying to Asia.